Bathing apparatus.



PATENTED JULY 17 1906;

H. HOEGLAUER. BA'IHING APPARATUS APPLICATION FILED 00130.

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HEINRICH HOEGLAUER, OF MUNICH, GERMANY.

BATHING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 17, 1906.

Original application filed September 23, 1904:, Serial No. 225,638. Divided and this application filed October 30, 1905.

. Serial No. 285,097.

To all whom it natty concern;

Be it known that I, HEINRIOH HOEGLAUER, a citizen of Germany, residing at Munich, Bavaria, Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bathing Apparatus, (being a division of my application, Serial No. 225,638,1iled September 23, 1904;) and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to bathing apparatus, and particularly to an arrangement in connection with bath-tubs of means for generating waves in the body of water contained therein.

Many different kinds of apparatus have been devised for causing the circulation and agitation of the water in baths, but this invention relates particularly to the production of a natural wave movement of the water. Hitherto the generation of waves in baths has usually been effected merely by a spasmodic irre ular violent agitation of the water or by t e production of circulating currents of water.

The object of my invention is to generate waves having the natural characteristics of an alternate to-and-fro movement and followin each other. in rhythmic sequence.

In t e accompanying drawings I have illustrated preferred and modified forms of my invention as embodied in a bath tub or tank.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents one end of a bath-tub equipped with a wave-generating apparatus. Fig. 2 represents the other end of the tub, likewise equipped with cooperating wave-forming apparatus. Fig. 3 is an end view of the form shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is another modification arranged in one end of a tub. Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic sectional elevation of a tub complete, and Fig. 6 is a similar plan.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Fig. 1, the plunger is formed as a curved surface a, pivoted below at b to the tub c and preferably, though not necessarily, providedwith the displacing-float d. A cord e serves as a means by which the bather, an attendant, or a motor may impart motion to the plunger to give an impulse to the water to generate a wave, and the spring f assists the return of the plunger. In the opposite end of the tub, as represented in Fig. 2, is shown a plunger formed as a plane surface a, mounted to slide longitudinally of the tub upon rolls g in grooves h in the side of the tub and having a buffer-spring i. The plunger in this case is cut out at j to provide escape for water which may find its way behind the same, this opening also providing accommodation for the feet of the bather in some positions, as when recumbent.

As shown in Fig. 4:, the surface a of the plunger has the shape of a reverse curve and is pivoted above at b. The float d, operating-cord e, and return-springf are practically the same as in Fig. 1.

As is obvious, the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2 may be used together, as indicated. The form shown in Fig. 4 may be used in combination with either of the others, or any of the forms may be used alone, with varying degrees of efiiciency, but in any case with ex-- cellent results. When the form shown in Fig. 2 is used alone, the impulse is given by the feet of the bather, or a cord could be used, as in the other cases.

It will be seen that as the plunger a is moved upon its pivot b it describes the arc of a circle, thus not only displacing the water longitudinally, but giving to the same a movement corresponding to that of a natural wave as it breaks. This effect is best secured by the curved surface, as shown, though a plane surface pivoted in this way could also be employed advantageously. After the first im ulse is given to the plunger and the water t us set in motion the force of the reof the tub will assist in retracting the plunger for another stroke, as will also the spring, and very little power will be required to maintain the wave motion, a gentle oscillation in synchronism with the waves being sufficient.

When with the forms shown in Figs. 1 or 4 the form shown in Fig. 2 is used, the function of the latter is to serve principally as a buifer to receive and return the wave impulse under the influence of the buffer-spring 'i.

It will be noted that this invention combines with a minimum expenditure of power a maximum of effect. The mechanism is simple and consists solely of parts which contribute to the wave production, all unnecessary and merely auxiliary or secondary parts being omitted. Instead of expending force in the lifting of the water mass or in circulatwater in the tub, and means for assisting the ing the same, as is common with other devices, all the energy is expended in imparting directly to the Water a longitudinal swinging wave motion.

It will be obvious in cases of large swimming-baths and the like that the bath may be provided with a single proportionately large plunger at each end and suitable operating mechanism or a plurality of plungers may be employed. The plunger may be operated by a crank or by a simple arrangement of the parts may be operated by the feet of the bather. In the case of large swimmingbaths, moreover, the plungers at the opposite ends may be caused to operate simultan'eously instead of alternately, in which case two waves may be formed which will meet and break in the center of the bath.

Many other modifications of details not herein specifically pointed out will suggest themselves which come well within the spirit ofmy invention, and I do not, therefore, desire to be limited to the specific forms of construction illustrated.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. The combination, with a bath-tub, of a plunger pivoted in one end thereof, and means for actuating said plunger against the body of water in the tub.

2. The combination, with a bath-tub, of a curved plunger pivoted in one end thereof, and means for actuating said plunger against the body of water in the tub.

3. The combination, with a bath-tub, of a plunger pivoted in the lower portion of the tub at one end, and means for actuating said plunger against the body of water in the tub.

4. The combination, with a bath-tub, of a curved plunger pivoted. in the lower portion ofthe tub at one end, and means for actuating said plunger against the body of water in the tub.

5. The combination, with a bath-tub, of a plunger pivoted in one end thereof, means for actuating said plunger against the body of and desire to secure by.

return of the plunger.

6. The combination, with a bathtub, of a plunger pivoted in one end thereof, means for actuating said plunger against the body of Water in the tub, and yielding means for assisting the return of the plunger.

7 The combination, with a bath-tub, of a plunger pivoted in one end thereof, means for actuating said plunger against the body of water in the tub, and a spring for assisting the return of the plunger.

8. The combination, with a tub, of a plunger pivoted in one end thereof, a float carried by the plunger, and means for actuating said plunger against the body of water in the tub.

9. The combination, with a bath-tub, of a plunger pivoted in the lower portion of the tub at one end, a float carried by the free end of the plunger, and means for actuating said plunger against the body of water in the tub.

10. The combination, with a bath-tub, a plunger pivoted at one end thereof, and means for moving the plunger against the water in the tub, of a plunger in the opposite end cooperating to receive and return the wave impulse.

11. The combination, with a bath-tub, a plunger pivoted at one end thereof, and means for moving the plunger against the water in the tub, of a second plunger mounted for longitudinal movement in the opposite end of the tub, and a buffer-spring behind said second plunger.

12. The combination, with a bath-tub, a curved plunger pivoted in the lower portion of the tub at one end thereof, and means for moving the plunger against the Water in the tub, of a second plunger mounted for longitudinal movement in parallel grooves in the opposite end of the tub and a buffer-spring behind said second plunger.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

HEINRICH HOEGLAUER.

Witnesses:

ABRAHAM SOHLESINGER, ULYSSES J. BYWATER. 

